Electrical relay



P 13, 1932- s. c. OSBORNE 1,877,480

ELECTRICAL RELAY Filed Dec. 16, 1930 INVENTOR. 5&711216/ C 0660rfl A TTORNEYG.

Patented Sept. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

SAMUEL C. OSBORNE, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE LINCOLN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO ELECTRICAL RELAY Application filed December 16, 1930. Serial No. 502,679.

This invention, relating as indicated, to electrical relays, has specific reference to a relay of the, so-called differential type. A relay of this character, in order to be usable efficiently in a number of installations, must be so constructed that it will respond in its operation to relatively small currents which requires that the mounting of the moving parts of therelay be such that no internal friction of such parts need be overcome. One of the chief sources of friction retarding the operation of a relay, as hereinbefore constructed, has been the means employed for suspending or mounting the movable armature of such relays. It is among the objects of this invention to provide .a relay of the character described, having a minimum of internal frictional resistance, so that the resultant structure will have a greatersensitivity than any heretofore employed. 7

Considerable difficulty has been experienced in the constructon of relays, more specifically in the contact points thereof. due

. to the fact that the oscillation of the arma- 133 ture correspondently efiected a making and breaking of different sets of contacts has, when the circuits controlled by such contacts have been interrupted caused a burning or other deterioration of such contacting conmeeting points, so that the operation of the relay for the purpose for which it was designed, has been materially interfered with.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a relay in which the contact making points for the circuit controlled thereby will not be subject to rapid deterioration,

as has been the case in constructions heretofore employed.

. For certain uses of a differential relay the sensitivity of the, apparatus controlled thereby is such that all so-called hunting action of the armature of. the relay must be prevented. This hunting action is in a measure due to the fact that one of the opposed circuits will be energized by-the armature of named desirable characteristics. Other objects of this invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishmentof the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a part sectional, part front elevational view of the apparatus comprising this invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an end view of the apparatus illustrated in the previous figures.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, and more especially to Fig. 1, the apparatus shown for purposes of illustration consists of a frame member 1 which has end brackets 2 and 3 secured thereto for the purpose of supporting the body portion of the apparatus presently to be described. The bracket members 2 and 3 may be provided with tapped holes 4 adapted to receive screws'by means of which the relay may be mounted on a switch board or control panel or the like. The end bracket members 2 and 3 have likewise secured thereto a block 5 of insulating material, by means of a screw 6, which block has in turn secured thereto by means of screws such as 7, leaves 8 and 9 for 5 the purposes hereinafter more fully explained.

The end bracket members 2 and 3 have laterally extending projections 10 and 11 formed integrally therewith, the bottom of the recess intermediately of such projections being substantially cylindrical in form to engage a tubular member 12 which is preferably of insulating or non-magnetic material, and which is terminally secured intermediately of 'saidprojections 10 and 11 by caps 13 which are secured in place by suitable bolts such as 14. The tubular member 12 has mounted thereon a helically wound coil 15 which extends substantially throughout the entire length of such tubular member intermediately of the side brackets 2 and 3, the ends of such coil being in the form of leads such as 16 and 17, having their terminals suitably formed to be connected into the proper circuit. Coaxially mounted on the tubular member 12 and enclosing the coil 15, is another tubular member 18, which is supported in spaced relation to said first named tubular member by means of tubular members 19 which likewise serve as a means of support for the aforesaid tubes and their associated coils in the apertures provided therefor interinediately of the projections 10 and 11. Mounted coaxially with the aforesaid tubular members, and supported by the outer tubular member 18, are a plurality of coils 20, 21, 22 and 23, being preferably four in number for the purpose hereinafter more fully explained. Each of these coils is provided with suitable leads which may be connected into suitable circuits (not shown).

Positioned coaxially within the tubular member 12, is an armature 24, being preferably of soft iron, each end of such armature having an extension 25 secured thereto, such extension being preferably of non-magnetic light material. The side brackets 2 and 3 have leaves 26 of resilient material secured thereto by means of clamp bars 27, maintained in contact with such bracket members by means ofbolts such as 28. The leaves 26 are secured to the non-magnetic projecting terminal portions 25 of the armature 24 by means of screws such as 29; The screws 29 have auxiliary leaves 30 secured thereto, which extend substantially parallel with the terminal portions of the leaves 29. The terminal portions of the leaves 29 and 30 have adjustably secured thereto contact members 31, adapted to contact with complementary members 32, carried by the leaves 8. The screws 29 likewise secure short leaves 33, which are preferably non-resilient and of nonmagnetic material, so that the resiliency of the terminal of the leaves 29, in the outets or bars 33 to which asuitable lead for electric current may be secured.

The operation of the hereinbefore described apparatus may briefly be explained as follows: The various leads from the relay such as 16 and 17, and those leads associated with each of the coils 20 to 23 both inclusive, will be connected to suitable sources of electric current, the type of circuit of course varying with the type of installation. Preferably, the coils 20, 21, 22 and 23 will be so connected that there will be 2 pairs of such coils, the coils of each pair being in series, although difl'erent arrangements may be had to comply with the requirements of different types of installations. The leads 16 and 17 will be connected so that the circuit with which the coil 15 is in series will be energized when either set of contacts 31 and 32 are closed with the electro-ma etic coils connected in the manner herein efore described, and when one pair of such coils is energized,

'the electro-magnetic effect thereof will be such that the armature 24 is moved axially until one set of the contact members 31 and 32 is closed. The suspension of the armature 24, through the medium of the leaves 26, and the non-magnetic terminal portions 25, is such that the armature may move axially for a distance sufficient to cause either set of contacts to close without any material resistance being offered to such axial movement by the means supporting such armature. The leaves 26 are of sufiicient resiliency so that no apparent force is required to deflect the same sufficiently to accomplish the above result, although the cross sectional area of such leaves is sutficient to properly sustain the armature 24 in position within the coils, so that there is no damage to any of the relatively moving parts of the relay, as the same is subject to vibration or shock.

lVhen the armature 24 moves axially in either direction for a distance sufficient to bring the contact members of either set into engagement, the armature, due to the resiliency of the terminal portion of the leaves 26, and further, the resiliency of the leaves 30 will move for a short increment of axial displacement, and when such movement occurs,

the combined effect of the resilient members 26 and 30 below the point of support at the screw 29 will cause a relative transverse movement or wiping action of the contacting points of the members 31 and 32 and still maintain the contacting faces parallel. It is this feature of the construction which prevents deterioration of the contact faces of the members 31 and 32, which would occur if such wiping or brushing action was not present. Excessive axial movement of the armature 24 is prevented by means of the leaves 9, which will be struck b the heads of the screws 29, and consequent y prevent damage to the apparatus.

As hereinbefore stated, the leads 16 and 17 of the coil 15 will be connected so that the circuit with which they are in series will be energized as soon aseither pair of contacts is closed. The effect of this coil 15 is to overcome the effect of either pair of the coils 20, 21, 22 and 23, so that as soon as the armature moves axially to close either pair of contacts, the inner coil 15 will immediately move such armature to its central position, opening the contacts previously closed. The contacts closed by the armature are therefore in engagement for only a relatively short period, and the above cycle of operation will be repeated again and again very ra idly until the apparatus with which the re ay is combined reaches a state of equilibrium. The provision of the relatively non-resilient leaf 33 in engagement with the outer face of the contact carrying terminals of the leaves 26 positively insures the immediate breaking of the contacts when the armature moves to the central position which might otherwise not occur.

It is believed that a further description of the apparatus comprising my invention is unnecessary for those familiar with the art of relay construction and its use. It will be noted that in connection with the above description, I have not attempted to show any wiring scheme with which such relay may be employed, since it is believed that those familiar with the use of relays will appreciate the uses to which my apparatus may be put, and further, the advantages of its use which are not realized from any type of relay construction heretofore employed.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an oscillatable armature, a plurality of electro-magnetic means arranged successively axially of said armature for effecting movement thereof, an electromagnetic coil arranged coaxially of said armature and including in its axial extent more than one of said first named electromagnetic means; leaves of resilient material for supporting said armature secured intermediately of their ends to opposite ends thereof and at one end to rigid supports, and contact making means carried by the free ends of said resilient leaves.

2. In apparatus of the character described,

the combination of an oscillatable armature, a plurality of electromagnetic; means arranged successively axially of said armature for effecting movement thereof, an electro magnetic coil arranged coaxially of said ar- I mature and including in its axial extent more than one of saidfirst named electromagnetic :means; leaves of resilient material for supporting said armature secured thereto intermature and including in its axial extent more than one of said first named electromagnetic means; leaves of resilient material for supporting said armature secured intermediately of their ends to opposite ends thereof and at one end to rigid supports, auxiliary leaves of resilient material carried by the ends of said armature and extending adjacent the free ends of said armature supporting means, and contact making members carried b said resilient leaf means.

4. 1 h apparatus of the character described, the combination of an oscillatable armature, a plurality of electromagnetic means arranged successively axially of said armature for effecting movement thereof, an electromagnetic coil arranged coaxially of said armature and including in its axial extent more than one of the first named electromagnetic means; leaves of resilient material for supporting said armature secured intermediately of their ends to opposite ends thereof and at one end to rigid supports, auxiliary leaves of resilient material carried by the ends of said armature and extending adjacent the free ends of said armature supporting means, means for restraining the resilient movement of said leaf means in one direction, and contact making members carried by said resilient leaf means.

5. In a relay, the combination of an oscillatable armature, a plurality of axially spaced electromagnetic means for effecting movement of said armature, contact members for making and breaking electrical circuits associated with and adapted to be actuated by opposite ends of said armature upon axial movement thereof, and an electromagnetic coil arranged coaxially of said armature to re-open either set of said contacts immediately as the same are closed by said first-named magnetic means.

6. In a relay, the combination of an oscillatable armature, a plurality of axially spaced electromagnetic means for effecting movement of said armature, contact members for making and breaking electrical circuits associated with and adapted to be actuated by opposite ends of said armature upon axial movement thereof, and an electromagnetic coil designed for energization by either circuit controlled by said contact means and arranged coaxially of said armature to re-open either set of said contacts immediately as the same are closed by said first-named magnetic means.

Signed by me, this 13th day of December,

SAMUEL C. OSBORNE. 

